Sierra Designs Pull-on Down Bootie Review

“After a long day on the trail or the mountain, treat your tired feet to a little warmth and luxury with the Pull-on Down Bootie. Made with a 100% recycled polyester ripstop shell and insulated with warm, light, and compressible 700-fill power down, the Pull-On Down Booties pack small and travel anywhere. With a heavy duty nylon non-skid sole, these booties are perfect for hut or home after a day on the mountain.” – Sierra Designs

Image Courtesy of Sierra Designs

The Deets:

Materials: 700-fill down, heavy-duty insulation, non-skid sole

Weight: 12oz

Approximate Packed Size: 12in x 6in x 3in (size large)

Sizes: Small, medium, large, x-large

Colors: Black

MSRP: $55.00

The Review:

I’ll always remember the time when my tent-mate Grant Ritter (author of NewEnglandOutside.com) pulled on his pair of down booties before tucking in for the night on my first winter camping trip to Black Pond in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. I must have thought that I was a tough guy or something as I razzed him for his “wussy booties”. What did I learn from that sub-zero night outside?? Grant was on to something with his down booties…

The Sierra Designs Pull-on Down Booties offer a warm, comfortable and affordable option for those late-season campers looking to keep their feet a little warmer at night! These booties have turned out to be warmer than I initially anticipated and have done a great job of keeping my feet warm in temperatures hovering around the freezing mark. I’ve come to enjoy the comfort of their fleece lining and padded sole so much that I’ll ever wear these around the house from time to time in favor of my moccasins. (I’m actually wearing them as I write this review!) Most importantly, I feel that these down booties fall at a reasonable intersection of quality and affordability. Yes, you can find cheaper booties out there but I guarantee that they’ll wear out faster. You may also choose to spend twice as much on “mountaineer quality” booties but that depends on your budget.

Kicking back in my down booties!

As always, there are a few nuances that potential buyers may want to consider. First, it’s important to realize that these booties were designed to be worn in dry conditions (around the house or in your tent). The soles are far from waterproof so I wouldn’t recommend wearing them in the snow or wet conditions around camp. They should also be stowed in a dry bag or dry sack to avoid getting damp en route. Second, I found that the sizing charts for these down booties were more than a little off. Consider buying one size larger than recommended. I’ve experienced a little more heel-slip but there will be much more room for your toes and to accommodate thicker socks. Finally, I would like to see the elastic in heel be replaced with a bungee-type cinch like the one found higher up on the bootie in future models. This change would help to prevent heel slip and make for a slightly better and more secure fit.

Overall, I feel that the Sierra Design Pull-on Down Booties make an excellent addition to the late-season kayak camper’s required gear. They’re great to wear around the fire and will help to keep your feet warm in your sleeping bag on those chilly nights. Remember, buy one size larger and do your best to keep them dry!

Pros: Warm, Comfortable, Affordable

Cons: Soles not waterproof. Sizing chart is way off (buy one size larger than recommended)